International Advisory and Monitoring Board on the Development Fund for Iraq

Press Release
December 14, 2004

Statement by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board on the Development Fund for Iraq

The International Advisory and Monitoring Board1 (IAMB) on the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) met on December 6, 2004 and issued the following statement:

"In accordance with the IAMB Terms of Reference, the nomination and appointment by the Interim Government of Iraq of the DFI external auditor is subject to approval by the IAMB. Representatives of the Interim Government of Iraq briefed the IAMB on the evaluation process to select an external audit firm to conduct an audit of the resources and disbursements of the DFI and of the oil export sales, from June 29, 2004 to December 31, 2004. The IAMB approved the process and concurred with the recommendation of the Interim Government of Iraq. The external auditor is expected to complete the audit of the DFI and oil export sales by March 2005.

"The IAMB previously announced its concern about the use of non-competitive contracting using DFI resources. The IAMB agreed to the terms of reference for a special audit of sole-sourced contracts proposed by the U.S. Government, to be completed by an independent auditor. The audit, which will cover the period up to the dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), is expected to be completed by April 2005. The results of the audit are to be made public.

"At the request of the IAMB access was provided by the U.S. Government to the audit report on the review of controls in the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) commissioned by the CPA in February 2004. The IAMB will take the findings of this report into account to determine the scope of future audits of DFI-related expenditures.

"The IAMB has also released its summary report covering its operations for the period from the establishment of the DFI on May 22, 2003 until the dissolution of the CPA on June 28, 2004. This report presents the IAMB's comments and conclusions on the reports in regard of the audits of the oil export sales and the DFI operations for the period up to transition of authority to the Interim Government of Iraq. This report is available on the IAMB's website (www.iamb.info).

"The IAMB also welcomed the presence of the President of the Board of Supreme Audit (BSA) at its latest meeting, and looks forward to working with the BSA and the Interim Government of Iraq on measures to continue strengthening the overall framework for public financial management in Iraq.

"The next meeting of the IAMB is tentatively scheduled for April 18-19, 2005."

1IAMB is chaired by the United Nations, and includes representatives from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Interim Government of Iraq.